PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Tiaoali Lvavatai (ranked 1018 p4p, 1098 weight class) and Jake Reaper (ranked 77 p4p, 84 weight class). Lvavatai comes to the cage accompanied by You Can Get It If You Really Want. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Lvavatai
vs
Reaper

171 cm
32
144
18 - 16 - 1

185 cm
30
148
12 - 8 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Furnace Performance 🔥
Sakura Style

HELLBENT

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tiaoali Lvavatai !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jake Reaper!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Joseph Jones and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reaper takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Reaper closes the distance and clinches.
Lvavatai blocking some punches.
Reaper tries a body shot but Lvavatai blocks it.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Reaper.

Lvavatai breaks from the clinch.

Lvavatai scores with a takedown into Reaper's guard.
Lvavatai trying to control the position from guard on top but Reaper is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Reaper is controlling Lvavatai 's posture.
Lvavatai wants to control from the top but Reaper keeps moving.

Lvavatai has gone for a leg lock! Reaper slips out almost immediately though and dives into Lvavatai 's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lvavatai has his foot on Reaper's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Reaper works his way back into a safe position though.

Lvavatai is looking for a triangle but Reaper pushes his legs off easily.
Reaper is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Lvavatai throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Reaper slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Lvavatai working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Reaper doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Reaper manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Lvavatai being controlled here, momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Reaper advances to half guard.

Lvavatai looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Reaper is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Lvavatai looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reaper content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Lvavatai tries to roll over but Reaper keeps him under control.
Reaper sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Lvavatai looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Lvavatai is trying to maintain the position but Reaper is very close to passing his half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Reaper fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Lvavatai looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Lvavatai shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Lvavatai takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Reaper sizes up Lvavatai with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
We've been told by Lvavatai 's head coaches at Kalashnikov ELITE MMA Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Reaper lands a jab.
Reaper just misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Reaper just misses with a punch to the body.
Lvavatai appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Lvavatai changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Reaper tries to avoid it but Lvavatai manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Reaper to the ground. Reaper escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Lvavatai throws a hook to the side of Reaper's head but Reaper sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Reaper dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Reaper throws a leg kick but Lvavatai checks it.
Lvavatai tries to counter with a takedown but Reaper is quick to defend against it.

Lvavatai closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Lvavatai lands in his opponent's guard.
Reaper keeping moving, preventing Lvavatai from controlling successfully.
Reaper looking for a sweep. Not yet Reaper, not yet.
Reaper keeping moving, preventing Lvavatai from controlling successfully.

Lvavatai has gone for a leg lock! Reaper slips out almost immediately though and dives into Lvavatai 's guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Reaper got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lvavatai has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Reaper has managed to get both his arms back between Lvavatai 's legs - danger averted.

Lvavatai looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reaper stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lvavatai swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Lvavatai can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Reaper controls the pace.

Reaper avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Lvavatai has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Reaper is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Lvavatai .
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Lvavatai is trying to control Reaper's posture but Reaper avoids it.
Reaper taking a breather here.
Reaper is continuing to stall.
Reaper has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lvavatai stops Reaper from passing to mount.
Reaper working away.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Lvavatai can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lvavatai holding on.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Lvavatai is trying to escape the position but Reaper is controlling the position.
Lvavatai tries to bench press Reaper off him but Reaper keeps the position.
Lvavatai wants to control but Reaper postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Jake Reaper seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lvavatai displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Reaper throws out the jab.
Lvavatai tries to counter with a takedown but Reaper is quick to defend against it.
Lvavatai takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A low kick from Reaper is predictable there
and Lvavatai counters with a straight right hand.
Reaper pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Lvavatai appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Reaper throws a leg kick but Lvavatai sees it coming and checks it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reaper uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Reaper lands with a nice body punch.
Lvavatai fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Lvavatai misses with a takedown attempt - Reaper sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Reaper takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Lvavatai keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lvavatai drops down looking for a counter takedown but Reaper sprawls and moves away.
Lvavatai ducks under a wild hook from Reaper.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Reaper cracks Lvavatai with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lvavatai is defended easily by Reaper.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Reaper showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Lvavatai has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Reaper.
Lvavatai throws a lazy uppercut
and Reaper counters with a nice body shot.
Reaper misses with a right hand
and Lvavatai counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Reaper throws a nice inside leg kick.
Reaper keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reaper moves out of range as Lvavatai strikes.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Lvavatai checks a leg kick.
Lvavatai looks to land a left hand but Reaper moved out of range nicely.
Reaper defending well as Lvavatai loads up on a big left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reaper throws a body shot but no joy.
Lvavatai half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Lvavatai steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Reaper.
Jake Reaper seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The fighters circle momentarily. Reaper darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Lvavatai tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Reaper lands a nice leg kick that just misses Lvavatai 's sensitive parts.
A shot to the liver by Reaper. Beautiful body shot.
Lvavatai looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Reaper tests Lvavatai 's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Reaper smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Reaper gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Lvavatai to score an easy takedown into full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lvavatai trying to control but Reaper is working from the bottom.
Tiaoali Lvavatai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jake Reaper is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lvavatai trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Reaper is pulling down on Lvavatai 's head to control his posture.
Lvavatai with a flurry of punches that miss.

Lvavatai drops back, looking for a kneebar! Reaper looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Reaper looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Reaper!

Lvavatai is trying to work for a sweep but Reaper has mounted him!
Jake Reaper has got the better of the ground game so far.
Reaper controlling the position easily from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lvavatai tries to lock up and control but Reaper gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Reaper with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
Lvavatai tries to hold on but Reaper pushes him away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Reaper controlling from mount.
Lvavatai wants to hold on but Reaper pushes him away.
Reaper tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reaper avoids the attempt from Lvavatai to control.
Reaper controlling the pace for now.
Reaper blocks Lvavatai 's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lvavatai keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Reaper looking to control and managing it successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jake Reaper comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Reaper has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jake Reaper!
An out of breath Jake Reaper thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.